Enclosure - Ecotherapy retreat
Location: Lilstock - Somerset
Year: 2023
Stage: MArch Part II
Client: Ecotherapy trust
Enclosure: Harmonizing Architecture with Nature
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Site Context and Historical Significance: Located just one mile from the Hinkley Point nuclear site, this area was once renowned for its natural beauty and rich heritage. Despite its proximity to industrial developments, the site remains an embodiment of tranquility and joy, offering a serene environment that deeply resonates with its visitors.
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Conceptual Genesis: Inspired by the profound sense of well-being experienced in this tranquil setting, the project sought to understand the sources of these positive emotions. This inquiry led to the integration of ecotherapy principles, aiming to create a sanctuary that harmonizes architecture with its natural surroundings.
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Architectural Integration: The design will feature organic curves and natural forms, ensuring the building blends seamlessly with its environment. Emphasis will be placed on using locally sourced materials, including seaweed for insulation, limestone from local quarries, and timber from nearby woodlands. A comprehensive materials analysis will guide the selection to enhance sustainability and local resonance.
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Ecotherapy Retreat: The retreat will focus on fostering a deep connection with nature, incorporating natural habitats and promoting interaction with the environment and local wildlife. This approach not only aims to provide therapeutic benefits but also encourages learning from and integrating with the natural world.
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Design Philosophy: By embracing natural forms and materials, the project aspires to create an immersive experience that reinforces the site's inherent beauty while supporting the principles of ecotherapy. The result will be a harmonious space that celebrates and enhances its natural context, offering a refuge that aligns with both environmental and emotional well-being.
The site of interest is located approximately 1 kilometer east of the quaint village of Lilstock and 2 kilometers west of Hinkley Point Power Station. Nestled within the coastal landscape of Bridgwater Bay along the Severn Estuary, this remote and picturesque location is framed by the dramatic cliffs of Lilstock to the west, the rolling highlands of the Somerset countryside to the north, and the industrial presence of the Hinkley nuclear power station to the east. The site offers a unique juxtaposition of natural beauty and engineered infrastructure, creating a distinctive and evocative setting.
Establishing the field of operation
Architecture Shapes Rituals and Emotions: The Impact of Design on Human Experience
Architecture profoundly influences the rituals and feelings associated with various spaces, shaping how we experience and interact with our environments. From religious buildings that inspire awe and spirituality through their grandeur and sacred design, to homes that offer comfort and intimacy through thoughtful layout and personal touches, architecture creates emotional landscapes that resonate with our daily lives. Public spaces, such as plazas and parks, foster a sense of community and freedom, while monumental and civic buildings evoke pride and collective memory. Workplaces and educational environments, with their designs tailored to productivity and learning, impact our stress levels and intellectual engagement. Sustainable and therapeutic architecture enhances our connection with nature and well-being, while memorials provide solace and reflection. In every facet, architecture is more than just a physical framework; it is an essential element in shaping the rituals and emotions that define our human experience.
Coastal Sediment Dynamics and Erosion Patterns in Bridgwater Bay
Fine sediments have contributed to the formation of tidal flats along the coastline, while subtidal deposits remain confined to Bridgwater Bay. This bay, along with the adjacent estuary, has undergone significant sea level rise in recent centuries, leading to coastal mud erosion. "Measurements of tidal flat level changes, archaeological finds, and anthropogenic chemical concentrations indicate that mudflat erosion has been a long-term process, characteristic of the entire estuary." Despite the dynamic tidal forces within the bay, the erosion process has progressed more slowly compared to other regions along the UK coastline. Mapping data spanning the last century reveals minimal changes in the coastal profile of Bridgwater Bay, particularly along the shoreline adjacent to the village of Lilstock.
Designing Ecotherapy Retreats: Learning from Nature for Emotional Well-Being
Engaging with the design concept for an ecotherapy retreat draws inspiration from natural habitats, observing how animals integrate themselves within their environments. A burrow, for instance, serves as both a dwelling and a temporary refuge, offering protection and a sense of safety through its careful integration with the landscape. Similarly, a bird's nest, often spherical in form, provides a protective enclosure, harmonizing with its surroundings to shield against predators. This architectural ethos mirrors the principles of ecotherapy, where participants—often from diverse backgrounds—are encouraged to reconnect with nature. Ecotherapy activities promote a heightened awareness of the natural world and are frequently recommended for alleviating stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. The design of the retreat must accommodate these vulnerable individuals, creating spaces that evoke security and emotional well-being through natural integration.
Ecotherapy aligns closely with conservation, fostering an environmentally integrated approach to both therapy and design. The site, currently used primarily as pastureland and for crop cultivation near the village of Lilstock, holds potential for transformation. A key element of the ecotherapy process is horticulture, which not only enhances the natural surroundings but also serves as a therapeutic practice for participants. Through horticultural tasks, participants actively contribute to the creation of new, though human-made, environments that promote the preservation, protection, and restoration of natural ecosystems and wildlife. This intersection of architecture, therapy, and conservation offers a design approach that harmonizes built interventions with ecological stewardship.
Ecotherapy retreat
Upon first encountering the site at Lilstock, there is a profound sense of being enveloped by the naturally formed environment. The rugged shoreline, framed by imposing 20-meter cliffs, provides a protective boundary, creating an enclosed, secure atmosphere within the bay. The cliffs, rising above, reveal the expansive Somerset countryside, offering a contrast of openness and vastness that complements the sheltered foreshore below. The tranquil surroundings present an ideal setting to appreciate the natural beauty of the region. To the east, Hinkley Point power station disrupts the landscape visually, yet plays a vital functional role in the area. The site’s situation and orientation are shaped by the natural terrain, nestled in a gentle dip and bordered by a crescent in the rock face, presenting itself towards the bay. This architectural sensitivity to the landscape allows the design to seamlessly integrate with its environment, aligning the retreat’s ethos with the natural topography and fostering a deeper connection between the built form and nature.
The program is designed to cultivate a calming environment, with the architecture responding through seamless, fluid movement both internally and externally, minimizing distractions. Curved walls and ceilings in natural tones guide the eye gently, encouraging an organic visual journey that fosters relaxation and introspection. At the core of the structure, a glass and stone void extends from the substructure to the roof terrace, offering unobstructed views of the limestone cliff’s natural formations while providing a continuous source of natural light. This void not only connects the building to its geological context but also enhances the spatial experience by inviting nature into the heart of the architecture.
The program is centered on fostering a serene environment, and the architecture responds by facilitating effortless movement throughout both the interior and exterior spaces, minimizing distractions. Curved walls and ceilings, rendered in natural hues, gently guide the eye, encouraging a fluid visual exploration that aligns with the building's tranquil ethos. A central void, composed of glass and stone, extends from the substructure to the roof terrace, offering uninterrupted views of the limestone cliff’s natural contours while also serving as a source of abundant natural light. This integration of form and material not only enhances the building's connection to its surroundings but reinforces a harmonious relationship between the built and natural environment.